The
Brandywine Battlefield Task Force has been working to promote the
preservation of the Brandywine Battlefield since 1993. The task force
is a volunteer group comprised of local, state, and federal
representatives, as well as non-profit organizations. Jeannine
Speirs, a senior community planner for Chester County and the
chairperson of the Brandywine Battlefield Task Force, made a
presentation at the Kennett Square Borough Council meeting on Feb.
16, and asked that two representatives from the borough be assigned
to serve on the task force.

The
Battle of the Brandywine took place on September 11, 1777, when
George Washington, then the general of the Continental troops,
decided to form a line of defense along the eastern bank of the
Brandywine in an effort to stop the British advance toward
Philadelphia.

Gen.
William Howe divided the British forces in an effort to outflank the
Continental troops. After a day of fierce fighting, the Continental
troops were forced to retreat to Chester, and the British troops
camped on the battlefield for five more days, ransacking nearby
homes.

The
Brandywine Battlefield National Historic Landmark was dedicated in
1961, and the historic site of 46 acres near Chadds Ford stands as an
enduring reminder of one of the largest and most important land
battles ever fought on American soil.

Speirs
explained to Kennett Square Borough Council that the actual battle
area stretches out over 35,000 acres. This area includes the Borough
of Kennett Square.

Speirs
explained that Kennett Square previously had two members of the
borough's historical commission serve on the Brandywine Battlefield
Task Force, but that committee has since disbanded. Kennett Square
does not currently have representation on the task force.

According
to Speirs, the Brandywine Battlefield Task Force is seeking a grant
through the National Park Service to continue its efforts to study
the battlefield. A study of the northern part of the battlefield has
already been completed and new information about the battle has been
uncovered.

One
example, Speirs explained, is that they were able to pinpoint the
location of Trimbles Ford. The site of Trimbles Ford is currently
open land, and could be a potential site for preservation.

“We
would love to have the support of the borough for the pursuit of
these studies,” Speirs said.

Kennett
Square Borough Council president Dan Maffei
said that they would be looking for two volunteers to serve on the
Brandywine Battlefield Task Force

In
other business, borough council appointed Carlos Navarro to serve as
a regular member of the Civil Service Commission. He previously
served as an alternate member to the commission.

Council
also authorized borough officials to move forward with plans to
establish a “Twinning Agreement” with
Moroleon, Guanajuato, Mexico. Officials from that city are planning a
visit here to learn more about Kennett Square in the spring, most
likely toward the end of April.

Mayor
Matthew Fetick said that borough officials will consider formalizing
the relationship with Moroleon, Guanajuato, Mexico in the future.
Many residents of Kennett Square, Fetick noted, have connections with
Moroleon, Guanajuato, Mexico.

During
public comment, several residents expressed concerns about issues
that arise during large winter storms. Two people commented that it's
difficult for senior citizens or people with medical conditions to
keep their driveways and sidewalks clear for emergency vehicles.
Another resident said that he knows of an elderly woman who received
a fine for not having her sidewalk cleaned, but it was an
impossibility for her to clean the sidewalks herself. He suggested a
borough-wide effort to make sure that anyone who needs help with snow
shoveling gets that help.